May is National Foster Care Month, a time to raise awareness about the 360,000 children in Foster care throughout the U.S. and to honor foster parents, child welfare professionals, advocates, and mentors who are committed to improving the lives of youth in care.
Events
Join us for a Guardian Scholars Alumni Panel, where former scholars return to share their journeys, experiences, and insights beyond graduation. This panel highlights the resilience, growth, and success of Guardian Scholars as they reflect on their time in the program and discuss how it shaped their academic, professional, and personal paths. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from alumni perspectives and engage in meaningful dialogue about life after college.
GE Ballroom 1 | 12 – 2 p.m.
In recognition of Foster Care Awareness Month, we invite the Cal State LA community to participate in Foster Care Awareness Color Day by wearing blue on Tuesday, May 5th. Help us turn Cal State LA Blue as we come together to show support for children, youth, and families impacted by foster care and raise awareness across our campus.
Participants are encouraged to take a photo, post it on their social media, and tag #CalStateLAGSP. Our students will select their favorite photo, and the winner will receive donuts for their office, compliments of the GSP Director.
Join us in wearing blue to spread awareness, build community, and make a lasting impact!
Join us for the GSP Then and Now Open House, a celebration of growth, resilience, and community. This event highlights where the Guardian Scholars Program began and how far it has come. Explore our story, meet the people behind the program, and see how GSP continues to support and empower students today. Whether you are new to GSP or have been part of our journey, we invite you to celebrate the past and connect with the future.
SSB 4300 | 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Foster Youth Ally Training provides information and resources to promote an inclusive, welcoming environment for all individuals who have experienced foster care.
Who is this for?
Cal State LA students, staff, and faculty interested in understanding and supporting the foster youth community.
What will you learn?
- The obstacles faced by students who have experienced foster care
- How to reduce the stigma of foster care
- How to support foster youth educational success
- How to increase awareness of the foster care community
- Create a connection between trauma, learning, and development
- Know the role of a Foster Youth Ally in supporting and advocating for youth in foster care.
GE Ballroom 3 | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
You are invited to Nurturing Resilience: A Mindful Yoga Experience, a welcoming yoga session for the campus community led by Professor Julie Lyn Adler and held in recognition of Foster Care Awareness Month. This event focuses on mindfulness, relaxation, and building resilience through gentle movement and breath.
LIB PW 4049 | 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
This presentation, hosted by Katherine Santana in collaboration with Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), is designed for the campus community, especially staff, administrators, and faculty, focusing on how trauma presents (trauma responses), how it impacts learning and academic functioning, and how we can better support our students and each other.
Participants will gain a deeper understanding of trauma, explore practical ways to apply a trauma-informed framework, and develop a more empathetic approach to engaging with students. We’ll also acknowledge that educators and helpers may have their own lived experiences or experience vicarious trauma, and we’ll emphasize self-care as an essential practice.
SH 163 | 10 – 11 a.m.